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Tag: Camilla Lamina

  • Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    For years, Camilla Lamina’s role at National University was defined by control, precision, and composure.

     

    As the steady orchestrator of one of the most dominant collegiate volleyball programs in the Philippines, Lamina was the engine that kept NU’s system running at a championship level. She dictated tempo, organized the offense, and ensured that the Lady Bulldogs remained firmly entrenched among the country’s elite programs through her decision-making and leadership on the court.

     

    Now, however, the challenge ahead is no longer about sustaining a winning culture—it is about creating one from the ground up.

     

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    Lamina officially begins her professional journey after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, with the Galeries Tower Highrisers making a bold statement by building their future around the former NU standout. The selection places immediate expectations on the accomplished setter, whose responsibilities now extend beyond running an offense to shaping the identity and foundation of a developing franchise.

     

    For Galeries Tower, the decision signals a clear commitment to long-term growth, banking on Lamina’s experience in a high-pressure collegiate system to help accelerate the team’s rise in the professional ranks. Her leadership, court awareness, and winning pedigree are expected to play a central role as the Highrisers aim to transition into consistent playoff contenders in the PVL.

    The significance of Lamina’s selection is further highlighted by the continued rise of National University’s volleyball program, which has now produced the No. 1 overall pick in three consecutive Rookie Drafts. Following Thea Gagate’s selection in 2024 and another top pick in the succeeding draft cycle, Lamina’s rise reinforces NU’s growing reputation as one of the country’s premier talent-producing institutions in volleyball.

     

    Adding to the narrative, Capital1 Solar Spikers star Bella Belen—herself a former NU standout and last year’s No. 1 overall pick—expressed excitement over Lamina’s entry into the professional league. Belen, who shared years of on-court chemistry with Lamina during their collegiate stint, shared her thoughts on seeing her former teammate take the next step in her career.

     

    “Excited din ako makalban si Lams kasi siyempre, all this time siya ‘yung kasama ko sa loob ng court and ngayon na nasa PVL na siya. Excited ako makita kung ano pa ‘yung pwede niyang ma-improve pa as an athlete, and ano ‘yung pwede niyang madala sa PVL. Excited na rin ako kung paano ako magpe-perform ‘pag siya ‘yung kalaban ko. Lams, stare down ka sa ‘kin, charot. Masaya lang ako for Lams kasi deserve niya talagang maging first pick,” Belen said in a media interaction.

     

    Beyond the playful competitiveness, Belen also underscored her pride in NU’s continued success in producing elite-level talent, emphasizing how the program’s sustained excellence has helped elevate Philippine volleyball as a whole.

     

    “Siguro hindi ko ma-explain, pero siguro masaya lang na isa sa mga volleyball program na umaangat is ‘yung NU. And sana magtuloy-tuloy, kumbaga hindi lang hihinto ‘yung programa ni NU, and sana marami pang ma-produce na magaling na players ‘yung NU,” she added.

     

    Galeries Tower’s decision to select Lamina at the top of the draft reflects a broader philosophy centered on long-term development rather than short-term results. By entrusting a young but proven setter with the responsibility of leading a rebuilding squad, the Highrisers are signaling their belief that sustainable success begins with leadership, discipline, and the ability to set a standard that influences an entire roster.

     

    As Lamina transitions into the professional ranks, expectations will be immediate—but so too will be the opportunity to redefine a franchise’s trajectory and establish herself as one of the PVL’s emerging cornerstone players.

     

     

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  • No. 1 pick Camilla Lamina embraces new challenge in PVL with Galeries Towers  

    No. 1 pick Camilla Lamina embraces new challenge in PVL with Galeries Towers  

    For years, Camilla Lamina’s role was clear.

     

    She was the steady hand behind one of the most dominant programs in collegiate volleyball, orchestrating plays, directing traffic, and helping National University maintain its place among the country’s elite teams.

     

    Now, the challenge is entirely different.

     

    Instead of fitting into an established championship culture, Lamina is being asked to help build one.

     

    The former NU star officially enters the professional ranks as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 PVL Draft after the Galeries Tower Highrisers made her the centerpiece of their future, entrusting the accomplished setter with a responsibility that extends far beyond distributing the ball.

     

    For Lamina, hearing her name called first overall was less about individual recognition and more about the confidence a franchise placed in her.

     

    “For me, siyempre fulfilling kasi wow, ako ‘yung isa sa mga napili nila ng Galeries. It shows ‘yung trust na ako pa talaga ‘yung napili. Very happy and very grateful,” she said.

     

    The selection marks a significant transition for one of the most decorated setters to emerge from the UAAP in recent years.

     

    At NU, Lamina was surrounded by a culture built around winning. Championships were expected, and excellence was the standard. At Galeries Tower, she enters a team still searching for its breakthrough and looking for foundational pieces capable of elevating the franchise.

     

    That reality is not lost on the 23-year-old playmaker.

     

    Rather than focusing solely on her skills as a setter, Lamina believes the biggest contribution she can bring comes from the values she developed during her years with the Lady Bulldogs.

     

    “Since I am from a champion team, which is NU, ang mabibigay ko lang at mao-offer ko sa Galeries ay kung gaano ako ka-competitive inside and outside the court at ‘yung hard work, discipline, at ‘yung work ethic ko,” Lamina said.

     

    Those traits could prove just as valuable as her precise sets and court vision.

     

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    Galeries Tower’s decision to make Lamina the top pick reflects its belief that building a competitive team requires more than talent. It requires players capable of setting standards and establishing habits that can influence an entire roster.

     

    The professional game, however, presents a different landscape from the one she dominated in college.

     

    Gone are the familiar opponents and systems. Waiting for her in the PVL are battle-tested veterans, former MVPs, national team standouts, and players who have spent years refining their craft at the highest level of Philippine volleyball.

     

    Instead of viewing that reality with apprehension, Lamina sees it as the next stage of her growth.

     

    “Of course, always ready naman ako syempre. But syempre, it will start sa how will I prepare first and how will I manage myself,” she said.

     

    “Siyempre, pagtuntong sa PVL, kasi iba na sila maglaro, mga beterano na sila maglaro. Feel ko marami ako matututunan and i-e-embrace ko talaga ‘yung challenge pag kalaban sila.”

     

    For Lamina, the draft did more than launch a professional career.

     

    It transformed her from the setter of a champion into a potential cornerstone of a franchise looking to write its own success story. The expectations that come with being the first overall pick are undeniable, but so is the opportunity.

     

    And for a player who spent her collegiate career helping others shine, the next chapter will be about proving she can help lead an entire organization forward.

     

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  • Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft may be the smallest in the league’s young history, but it hardly feels lacking in intrigue.

     

    Only 41 players made the final draft list released ahead of the June 3 selection day, a noticeable drop from previous years. But while the numbers dipped, the quality at the top of the class remained impossible to ignore.

     

    At the center of it all stands Alyssa Solomon — the towering National University opposite spiker widely expected to become the top overall pick after finally deciding to bring her game home following a season in Japan’s SV.League with Osaka Marvelous.

     

    Solomon’s arrival instantly gives this year’s draft its marquee attraction. The 6-foot-1 hitter spent the past year sharpening her game overseas, helping Osaka Marvelous reach the finals while producing 147 points across 30 matches against elite international competition.

     

    And yet, even beyond Solomon, this year’s class offers plenty of proven winners, decorated collegiate stars, and intriguing long-term prospects.

     

    National University continues to leave a massive imprint on the local volleyball landscape, with two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina also entering the draft after helping sustain the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty run in recent years.

     

    University of the Philippines star Nina Ytang likewise headlines the frontcourt talent pool after carving out a historic collegiate career as the first four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker. Her dominance at the net made her one of the most feared middle blockers of her generation and now positions her as one of the most coveted names available.

     

    Defense, meanwhile, gets its own headline act through UST libero Detdet Pepito, whose floor coverage and consistency made her one of the most reliable back-row anchors in the collegiate ranks.

     

    Several established scorers are also making the leap to the pros.

     

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    Former UST standouts Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula headline the wing spiker group together with UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo. Far Eastern University sends Tin Ubaldo, Ann Asis, and Florize Papa into the draft, while La Salle adds Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen to the mix.

     

    The talent pool stretches beyond the UAAP as well.

     

    Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, Natalie Estreller, and Julienne Castro banner the NCAA hopefuls alongside San Sebastian’s Katherine Santos, Christina Marasigan, and Kristine Dionisio. Other collegiate programs such as JRU, Lyceum, Mapua, San Beda, and Perpetual also have representatives hoping to earn professional opportunities.

     

    One of the more intriguing names in the draft is Fil-foreign hitter Jade Fuentes, who previously suited up for La Salle before continuing her career with Cal State Dominguez Hills in the United States. Fuentes recently expressed excitement about returning to Philippine volleyball and embracing what she called the country’s unmatched competitive atmosphere.

     

    Provincial standouts Kirsty Destajo of UNC-Sorsogon and Angel Galinato of the University of San Carlos also cracked the final list, further highlighting the expanding reach of the PVL talent search beyond Metro Manila’s traditional power schools.

     

    Now, despite having fewer applicants than previous years, the draft still feels capable of reshaping several franchises.

     

    Because while the class may be smaller, the names attached to it carry expectations of becoming the league’s next wave of stars.

     

     

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  • NU Bulldogs star players Lams Lamina and Buds Buddin dominate UAAP week, securing Player of the Week honors

    NU Bulldogs star players Lams Lamina and Buds Buddin dominate UAAP week, securing Player of the Week honors

    National University’s volleyball program is on a roll as Michaelo “Buds” Buddin and Camilla “Lams” Lamina earn Player of the Week accolades following standout performances that kept both Bulldogs squads on the rise.


    The Philippine Sports Commission has recognized the two NU standout players as Players of the Week for the period of March 25 to April 5.

     

    For the Lady Bulldogs, Lamina orchestrated the offense with poise, posting 20 excellent sets and three points in her first full game back, helping NU sweep the Adamson Lady Falcons 25-20, 25-21, 25-21. 

     

    Her leadership on the court has been crucial in maintaining NU’s hold on the No. 2 spot with an 8-3 record. 

     

    Despite limited minutes earlier in the season due to rotation with younger setter Abe Pono, Lamina’s return proves the value of experience and versatility in the squad.

     

    “Ako naman kasi, always ready naman ako kahit anong mangyari. And of course, yung mindset ko talaga is to stay focused. Kung anuman ang ibigay sa akin na role, gagawin ko talaga para sa team,” the senior setter said.

     

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    Meanwhile, Buddin led the men’s team through a pair of crucial wins, racking up 19 points against Ateneo before contributing 26 points in a grueling five-set match against Adamson, cementing NU’s spot in the Final Four with a 9-2 record. 

     

    His performances exemplify the Bulldogs’ consistent excellence and their drive to pursue a sixth consecutive UAAP title.

     

    What makes this week particularly notable is how both NU teams relied on the balance between veteran leadership and emerging talent. 

     

    “Since high school pa lang, na-witness ko na paano tinatrabaho. Lahat, detailed talaga. Lahat talaga, since day one talaga, ang sistema is nagbubunga talaga. Lahat ng coaches, players, talagang makikita mo na tinatrabaho lahat para magtuloy-tuloy kung ano ang pinapangarap ng bawat isa sa amin at kung ano ang goal ng bawat isa sa amin,” Buddin said.

     

    Lamina’s return and Buddin’s all-around dominance underscore the depth of the Bulldogs’ rosters, proving that NU’s volleyball program is cultivating a new generation of stars without losing the edge that keeps them title contenders.

     

    Looking ahead, both teams will take on UE at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on April 12—NU men at 9:00 AM and women at 11:00 AM, where their continued synergy between experience and youth could be the deciding factor in the pursuit of postseason glory.

     

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  • NU Lady Bulldogs head coach under fire as fans demand Camilla Lamina return amid UAAP Season 88 struggles

    NU Lady Bulldogs head coach under fire as fans demand Camilla Lamina return amid UAAP Season 88 struggles

    As the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament continues, defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs are facing a more turbulent path than expected after a second‑round defeat to the FEU Lady Tamaraws. 


    The loss at the Smart Araneta Coliseum sparked a wave of frustration among Lady Bulldogs supporters, who loudly called for veteran setter Camilla Lamina to be given more playing time. 

     

    A viral video on social media captured fans inside the arena expressing their displeasure, chanting for Lamina’s insertion and leveling harsh remarks toward the coaching staff.

     

    NU’s head coach, Regine Diego has drawn criticism from some sections of the fanbase for opting to keep Lamina on the bench in favor of sophomore Abegail Pono as the team’s starting setter. 

     

    The decision has been controversial given Lamina’s pedigree who is a two‑time UAAP Best Setter (Seasons 84 and 87) whose numbers have dipped to 1.68 average sets per game this season from 5.34 during their 2025 championship run. 

     

    Lamina, standing at 5‑foot‑7 has started just three of NU’s nine matches so far, managing double‑digit production only twice this year.

     

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    NU’s recent struggles are also a product of roster changes entering Season 88. The Lady Bulldogs, historically one of the UAAP’s most successful programs with five overall championships, have seen several core players graduate after a dominant stretch that included a back‑to‑back title in Season 87 and multiple finals appearances in recent years. 

     

    Adding fuel to the clamor, Lamina has battled minor injuries this season — including an index finger issue that occasionally limited her availability — which may have influenced the coaching staff’s cautious approach. 

     

    Rather than a simple benching, observers say the move could be aimed at managing her health and preserving her effectiveness throughout the grueling UAAP schedule. 

     

    Fans, however, remain unconvinced, insisting that NU needs Lamina’s championship experience now more than ever if they are to retain positioning near the top of the standings.

     

    The Lady Bulldogs have shown flashes of resilience despite setbacks. After suffering earlier losses this season, supporters are still calling for clearer adjustments as NU prepares to face the Ateneo Lady Eagles on Saturday, March 28, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, a crucial match that could shape their Final Four hopes. 

     

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